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Baker calls for action on cutting emissions

The Lowell Sun

Updated:
09/17/2016 06:36:02 AM EDT

By Michael P. Norton and Andy Metzger

State House News Service

BOSTON -- Facing persistent calls for a stronger response from government, Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday directed his administration to develop and implement a statewide, comprehensive adaptation plan and come up with regulations addressing emissions reductions across sectors, including the transportation industry.

Under an executive order Baker signed on Friday, the Department of Environmental Protection is also directed to examine emission limits from a range of sectors and outline a timeline for regulations to ensure the state meets carbon reduction targets under its Global Warming Solutions Act. The order also commits the administration to work on additional steps "to develop regional policies to reduce transportation sector emissions."

In May, the state Supreme Judicial Court unanimously affirmed the state's obligations under the 2008 global warming law and ordered state government to create and implement regulations that apply to multiple carbon sources to meet its emission reduction mandates. Vacating a Superior Court judge's ruling, the SJC ruled that Department of Environmental Protection regulations did not fulfill the specific requirements of the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2008.

The order requires reports laying out the state strategy for energy and for climate change adaptation by September 2018.

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The Department of Environmental Protection is required to draft regulations by Aug. 11, 2017 that establish declining emissions in a variety of areas. A regulations notice must be published by Dec. 16, 2016 and a public hearing on the regulations must be held by Feb. 24, 2017.

At a press conference, Baker noted the devastating winter storms that occurred shortly after he took office in 2015 and the ongoing drought, which has tapped reservoirs and damaged crops across Massachusetts.

"You need to have the whole Cabinet involved in this," Baker told reporters, stressing the importance of participation by cities and towns.

Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matt Beaton said the executive order directs government to "identify the critical infrastructure needs that we need to address" and mitigation will "certainly be a strong focus."

The Senate this session repeatedly pressed for passage of a bill requiring a climate change adaptation plan. The House did not agree to that bill.

The Baker order also requires each executive office in state government to designate a climate change coordinator charged with completing a vulnerability assessment for each office and assisting with adaptation and mitigation efforts across state government.

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